TVA completes refueling at Sequoyah

TVA completes refueling at Sequoyah

Extra 1,000 workers aid in maintenance work

Power generation resumed today at the Unit 1 reactor at the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant after work crews completed more than 14,000 maintenance and repair items and refueled the 37-year-old unit at the Soddy-Daisy plant.

The Tennessee Valley Authority said plant operators are currently returning the Sequoyah unit to its full capacity, generating enough power for 650,000 homes.

In addition to replacing 81 of the unit's 193 fuel assemblies, TVA spokesman James Hopson said detailed inspections of the reactor vessel confirmed all components continue to meet or exceed all design requirements and are fully able of performing their safety functions. Other major maintenance activities done during the outage last month included replacing or refurbishing a number of motors, valves and other plant components, as well as several modifications for improving safety.

"The entire Sequoyah team, supported by more than 1,000 supplemental contract workers, completed approximately 14,100 activities during the outage," said Tony Williams, Sequoyah site vice president. "Each of our team members takes great pride in the work they do to ensure the Sequoyah plant continues provide safe, reliable service to the people and businesses of the Tennessee Valley."

Sequoyah Unit 1 is one of seven operational TVA nuclear reactors across the Valley, supplying nearly 40 percent of all electricity used by more than 9 million people.

TVA derives nearly 40 percent of its power from its fleet of nuclear reactors. Combined with its hydroelectric dams and purchased renewable power, TVA generates more than half of its electricity from carbon-free sources.